Wildlife Encounters in Victoria

Healsville Platypus

Home to the most diverse of Australian landscapes and climates, Victoria is the preferred habitat for many of the country's most iconic native animals. Be it in the wild, or in parkland, waterways, zoos and reserves, popular and more unusual species of wildlife and birds can be spotted in Victoria.

Fast facts:

Although the state comprises just 3% of Australia's total landmass, Victoria is home to 30% of Australia's native animals.

There are 139 mammal species in Victoria including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, possums, wombats, platypus and echidnas.

Victoria's parks are home to more than 4300 native plants and 948 native animal species.

In Victoria there are: eighty-seven species of lizard, fifty-two skinks, twelve dragons, eleven legless lizards, nine geckos, three monitors (goannas), twenty-seven species of snake.

Victorian natural ecosystems support at least: 111 mammals, 447 birds, 46 freshwater and 600 marine fish, 133 reptiles, 33 amphibians.

More information on Victoria's wildlife and zoos can be found here.

Where to spot wildlife:

Grampians

Kangaroos, wallabies, emus, echidnas and a myriad of bird species can be seen in their natural habitats in the Grampians region. Kangaroos and wallabies wander the main streets of towns such as Halls Gap and Wartook Valley, and graze in paddocks and bush land, unconcerned about passers-by.

Dunkeld's Mount Abrupt is home to endangered species including Wedge-Tailed Eagles, Nankeen Kestrels and Peregrine Falcons. The Grampians Golf Club, just a short drive from Dunkeld, is a great place to spot rare Gang Gang birds, Grass Parrots and Superb Blue Wrens. Emus and kangaroos are often seen here in the late afternoon.

Great Ocean Road

From whale watching and swimming with dolphins to spotting koalas and the elusive platypus, there is a variety of wildlife encounters along the Great Ocean Road. The coastal bushland between Lorne and Apollo Bay is home to a large population of koalas and a short drive up Grey River Road at Kennett River is usually rewarded with at least one sighting.

During cooler months whales are often spotted offshore, as they migrate from Antarctica or use the sheltered beaches in the region to deliver and nurse calves. Known as the Jewel of the Otways, glow worms at Melba Gully put on a spectacular light show at night which can be viewed from the walking tracks.

Just off the coast of Port Campbell National Park at Mutton Bird Island, viewing platforms provide an opportunity to see 12,000 Mutton Birds returning to roost between September and April.

Gippsland

Gippsland's unspoiled landscape provides a habitat for many species of wildlife as well as plenty of viewing opportunities. At Wilsons Promontory National Park, wildlife including koalas, wombats, emus, kangaroos and rosellas are often spotted.

Raymond Island in Paynesville has one of the largest population of koalas and they are almost impossible to miss on the 1.2 kilometre 'koala walk'. Bird-watchers will also be well entertained as the island is home to over 60 bird species.

Visitors can spot sea life Lakes Entrance, where dolphins and seals often swim beside boats. Cruising at Metung in the Gippsland Lakes will showcase the area's birdlife, while kangaroos can be seen grazing by the water.

Phillip Island

Phillip Island Nature Park is home to the state's most popular wildlife encounter – the Penguin Parade. The Island's most famous inhabitants and the world's smallest penguins, the little penguins, can be seen emerging from the sea and waddling ashore to their sand dune burrows each night at sunset.

Just off the coast of the Island, Seal Rocks is a breeding ground and nursery for over 20,000 Australian Fur Seals.

Back on dry land, the Koala Conservation Centre allows visitors to come face to face with koalas in their natural habitat as well as discovering wallabies, echidnas and bats that call the woodland home.

The Murray

Autumn, winter and spring bring forth an abundance of wildlife in the Murray region. Camel Pad Track in the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park is a 10 kilometre walk through open woodlands, over sand dunes and beside a large salt pan. Wildlife is abundant, with kangaroos and emus grazing in the open areas and resting in the shade.

Further along the river moving east, Gunbower Island State Forest, near Koondrook, is Australia's largest inland island and a sanctuary for native birds and wildlife. Reed Beds Bird Hide boardwalk at Mathoura in the Murray Valley National Park is a haven for wild birds such as the Eastern Great Egret, Yellow Rosellas and Superb Wrens.

High Country

The High Country is home to numerous lakes, rivers and other pristine waterways teeming with birdlife. Scores of birdlife can be seen at the Winton Wetlands, near Benalla as the sun goes down or at Candlebark Creek in Lake Eildon National Park.

The alpine region is abundant with flora and fauna that changes with the seasons. Wildlife emerging from winter hibernation can be seen in spring, including parrots and the endangered mountain pygmy possum. Wedge-tail eagles soar overhead at Mount Buffalo, and wombats and echidnas roam freely.

In Eurobin, between Myrtleford and Bright, visitors have the opportunity to feed, touch and learn about the deers and emus that live on the 375 acre property of Red Stag Deer and Emu Farm.

Best wildlife parks:

Healesville Sanctuary

Australian nature abounds at Healesville Sanctuary, where visitors can get up-close to more than 200 species of Australian wildlife in an authentic bush environment. The new 'Tales of Platypus Creek' is a world first interactive show featuring the Platypus. Nocturnal by nature and a creature of muddy waterways and burrows, this is a rare opportunity to see the unusual mammal relaxed and at play. Visitors can also get in the water and play with platypus themselves with the new Wade with the Platypus.

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park

Set on 10 hectares of bushland, the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Parkis home to a range Australian wildlife including endangered species. Visitors can hand feed kangaroos and wallabies, pat koalas and encounter owls, pythons and dingoes. At night, the Sanctuary provides the rare opportunity to see nocturnal animals in their natural habitat with its lantern-lit tours.

Ballarat Wildlife Park

The Ballarat Wildlife Park is home to some of Australia's most loved wildlife including koalas, wombats and emus. The family run Park specialises in native Australian animals exotic reptiles. Free-roaming kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, eagles, giant tortoises, crocodiles and alligators can all be seen, as well as a large display of lizards and snakes.

Melbourne Zoo

For wildlife viewings in the city, the Melbourne Zoo is an easy 10 minute tram ride from the city centre. Melbourne Zoo boasts over 320 different species from around the world including some of Australia's most iconic wildlife including koalas, kangaroos and little penguins.

Top wildlife tours:

Moonraker Dolphin Swims

Moonraker Dolphin Swims takes visitors up close to some of the ocean's most loved creatures. The more adventurous can try snorkeling in the pristine Marine Park to see wild Bottlenose Dolphins, Australian Fur Seals and colourful fish. Those who prefer to stay dry can opt for a cruise aboard one of the luxury vessels and spot wildlife from the deck.

Wildlife adventures to Seal Rocks

Seal Rocks is a breeding ground and nursery for over 20,000 Australian Fur Seals and is located just off the west coast of Phillip Island. Wildlife Coast Cruisesdeparts daily from Cowes Jetty for a two hour cruise. Phillip Island Nature Parks' new EcoBoat Tours offers slightly shorter options of 60 or 90 minutes.

Middle Island Maremma Walking Tours

The Middle Island Maremma Project began in 2006 when there was a sharp decline in the colony size of Little Penguins on Middle Island due to fox predation. With less than 10 surviving penguins inhabiting the Island in 2006, it was closed to the public to protect penguin burrows from human trampling. Since Maremma Guardian dogs were introduced to protect the Little Penguin's from foxes there has been a steady increase in penguin colony size. Now, during summer visitors can join the 'Meet the Maremma Tours' on Middle Island and experience the Project firsthand.

South Bay Eco Adventures

South Bay Eco Adventures offers boat tours that highlight the wildlife of Southern Port Phillip Bay including the Australian fur seal and bottlenose dolphins. South Bay Eco Adventures also offers Mud Islands guided walk, exploring the essential breeding area for over 30 species of shore birds and waders. Mud Islands is a significant RAMSAR international wetland conservation area.

Echidna Walkabout

Echidna Walkabout was the recent winner of the prestigious Best for Wildlife Conservation Award at the World Responsible Travel Awards. Its small group nature tours allow visitors to witness native wildlife in their natural environment, including kangaroos, koalas, platypus, lyrebirds and cockatoos. Tours range in length from one to seven days, with a percentage of each tour cost going towards koala research.

Leadbeater Eco Tours

Named after the possum of the same name, Leadbeater Eco Tours provides the opportunity for visitors to discover some of the natural attractions that surround the city. Day tour options include the Yarra Valley, Dandenongs, Healesville Sanctuary and Puffing Billy. This tour company is passionate supporting conservation to save the endangered Leadbeater possum.

Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve guided tour

Located between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, a three-hour drive east of Melbourne, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve is set in an extinct volcano. Here, visitors can take a guided tour to see kangaroos, emus and koalas and learn about Aboriginal culture.

Otway Eco Tours

Otway Eco Tours takes small groups on guided platypus-spotting canoe adventures on Lake Elizabeth. Visitors can also see the Glow worms on their dusk tour. Mountain biking and walking tours are also available.

Mount Rothwell Conservation and Research Centre

Mount Rothwell Conservation and Research Centre is the largest predator-free ecosystem in Victoria. The Centre undertakes research into restoring habitat to help protect threatened species from extinction – including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and Eastern Quoll. Public sunset walks are held on the last Saturday of each month and bookings can be made for private tours either in the daytime or at night.

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